Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.

Thought for the Evening
8-31

The Names Of The Sheep

If your name is in God's Book of Life in heaven, but you have not yet received the baptism of the holy Ghost, you are among the "lost" sheep, and the Gospel was sent by God from heaven for you, to help you find your way home. If your name is not in the Lamb's Book of Life, the Gospel is not for you, and you cannot possibly believe it.

There is a popular old gospel hymn that contains a line which says, "There's a new name written down in glory." That hymn is indoctrinating people to believe a lie; to wit, that when one is converted, God writes his name in His Book of Life. This is completely false. It is typical Christian mythology. No one can have his name added to the Book of Life. The names of His sheep were written in the Lamb's Book of Life from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8; 17:8). There has not been a name added to the Book of Life since God wrote their names in there before the creation of this earth, though, sadly, many sheep have lived disobedient, ungodly lives, and have had their names erased from that Book (Ex. 32:32-33; Ps. 69:28; Rev. 3:5).

There is only one way that anyone can know that his name is written in God's Book of Life, and that is to receive the baptism of the holy Ghost. The one who receives the holy Ghost baptism (with the evidence of speaking in tongues) is confessing his faith in God as true (Jn. 3:33), thus proving that he was a lost sheep who has at last come home. Every one who rejects the baptism of the holy Ghost is, in fact, calling God a liar (1Jn. 5:10) and is giving evidence suggesting that he is a goat who will never find a place in the kingdom of God. Many goats profess to belong to Christ, and some even hold prestigious degrees in theology! But that is to be expected, and Jesus and his apostles warned us of these false teachers (e.g. Mt. 7:15; 2Pet 2:1).

Who is lost? God's sheep are lost. If you are one of them, you will be happy to learn that the way home does not lead through Christianity, but through the Spirit of Christ. It is only by the saving work of Jesus in your life that you will ever see your Father and the rest of the heavenly family to which you have always belonged. Forget your past, whether it be a disgraceful past filled with godless immorality or a highly esteemed past filled with participation in the religious abomination called Christianity (cp. Lk. 16:15).

Repent of all of it, and come home.

Daily Thoughts

In Isaiah 55, we are told that God's thoughts are not our thoughts and that God's thoughts are as far from men as the heavens are from the earth. These collections of thoughts were given to Pastor John from the holy Spirit of God. For God to condescend to man, and to give His thoughts to him is a rare and precious thing. That is why these thoughts are so valuable.

These thoughts can cheer the hearts of the discouraged; bring unity to divided situations and, speak words of life and hope at the most needed times. Many of the experiences, teachings, and thoughts in this book came from Pastor John's father, George C. "Preacher" Clark. "Preacher Clark" was also a man anointed by God with a message for God's children. So these collections include nearly a century of experience in the things of God and doctrinal truths sent by the holy Ghost to true pastors.